Main Space Fire Drill aboard USS Ashland

PHILIPPINE SEA
03.04.2019
Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Markus Castaneda
USS Ashland (LSD 48) 

190304-N-WI365-1035 PHILIPPINE SEA (Mar. 04, 2019) – Boatswain’s Mate 3rd Class Andrew Piechuta, from Sedille, Ohio and Damage Controlman Fireman Jordin Davis, from Pascagoula, Miss., prepare to access a space during a main space fire drill in the Main Machinery Room (MMR) 2 of the amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48). Ashland, part of the Wasp Amphibious Ready Group, with embarked 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, is operating in the Indo-Pacific region to enhance interoperability with partners and serve as a ready-response force for any type of contingency. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Markus Castaneda)

167th Firefighters rescue man from burning vehicle

167th Airlift Wing firefighters, Airman Garrison Huggins, Staff Sgt. Ryan Trochimowicz, Staff Sgt. Michael Frye, Staff Sgt. Jason Smith and Airman 1st Class Levi Taylor responded to an early morning car accident, pulling the driver from his burning vehicle, March 2, 2019. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Michael Dickson)

MARTINSBURG, WV, UNITED STATES
03.03.2019
Story by Staff Sgt. Timothy Sencindiver
167th Airlift Wing, West Virginia Air National Guard 

Five 167th Airlift Wing firefighters responded to an early morning car accident, pulling the driver from his burning vehicle, March 2, 2019.
Within five minutes of being dispatched, Staff Sgt. Michael Frye, Staff Sgt. Ryan Trochimowicz, Staff Sgt. Jason Smith, Airman 1st Class Levi Taylor and Airman Garrison Huggins arrived on the scene less than a mile from the Martinsburg, WVa., air base.
“They stretched the line, went to the door, opened the door, got the guy out and put out the fire,” said Staff Sgt. Michael Frye who drove the rescue engine to the accident.
The team was the first on the scene. Medics arrived shortly after the driver was removed from his vehicle.
“I think if we would have got there any later it could have been a whole lot worse, for sure,” said Airman Garrison Huggins.
The fireman all agreed that they were happy to help out in the community.
“It’s a good feeling to do your job and see a positive outcome,” said Staff Sgt. Jason Smith.

Coast Guard, Honolulu Fire Department locate missing kayaker off Oahu

HONOLULU, HI, UNITED STATES
02.26.2019
Story by Petty Officer 3rd Class Matthew West
U.S. Coast Guard District 14 Hawaii Pacific 

HONOLULU — The Coast Guard and Honolulu County Fire Department located a 56-year-old male kayaker who went missing near Haleiwa Beach Park, Monday evening.

The missing kayaker had made his way to shore after becoming separated from his friend. Good Samaritans reported seeing a kayaker leaving the water who matched his description and notified the Honolulu Fire Department. The battalion chief was able to speak to the kayaker by phone and verify he was safe. There were no reported injuries.

“His friend did the right thing and contacted authorities once he realized they were separated,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Alvin Seguin, a Sector Honolulu watchstander. “If you find yourself in such a situation it is best to err on the side of caution and notify us immediately. We would much rather search for someone who is not in trouble than not search for someone who is. Any time a missing person is found safe and sound, it is a good day.”

At 5:10 p.m., Sector Honolulu watchstanders received a report from the Honolulu Fire Department stating two kayakers had been boating in the area when they became separated. Once his friend noticed the other was missing he made his way back to the beach and called 911. He reported he had last seen his friend about 500-yards off Alligator Rock Beach Park in a white Surf Ski watercraft and had been wearing black shorts and a lime-green shirt with a life-jacket.

Honolulu County first responders set up an incident command post on the shore and began searching the area with ground and air assets. Sector Honolulu watchstanders launched a Station Honolulu 45-foot Response Boat-Medium and Air Station Barbers Point MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crews to assist. The Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Gerczak (WPC 1126) crew was also diverted to respond. Sector Honolulu watchstanders issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast Notice to mariners requesting they keep a sharp lookout for signs of distress.

The kayaker had made his way to the Hawaii Polo Grounds at Mokuleia where he then asked good Samaritans for a ride back to his resort. Some had heard his description in the missing person report and notified the Honolulu Fire Department. The Fire Department was then able to call the kayaker.

“We recommend waterway users keep safety in mind when they enjoy the ocean,” said Seguin. “It is best to inform someone of your plans and to research the weather before you leave. In Hawaii, you can find your local conditions at http://hawaiibeachsafety.com.”

Involved in the search were:

An Air Station Barbers Point Dolphin helicopter crew
A Station Honolulu RB-M Crew
A Honolulu Fire Department helicopter crew
Honolulu Fire Department ground crews
The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Joesph Gerczak

The weather on the scene at the time was winds of 11 mph and seas up to 2 feet.

Coast Guard, local agencies respond to boat fire in Cape Charles, VA

CAPE CHARLES, VA, UNITED STATES
02.26.2019
Courtesy Photo
U.S. Coast Guard District 5   

The Coast Guard and other local agencies respond to a boat fire at Cape Charles Marina in Cape Charles, Virginia, Feb. 26, 2019. A Unified Command was established, comprised of the U.S. Coast Guard, Accomack County Fire Department, Cape Charles Fire Department, Cheriton Fire Department and Virginia Department of Emergency Management. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)

Distressed cruise passenger rescued by HSC-25

PACIFIC OCEAN (Mar. 04, 2019) Naval Air Crewman (Helicopter) 2nd Class Ty Nichols, assigned to the “Island Knights” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 25, is lowered to the deck of the MV Arcadia to provide emergency assistance to a cruise passenger in distress during a MEDEVAC. HSC-25 provides a multi-mission rotary wing capability for units in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations and maintains a Guam-based 24-hour search-and-rescue and medical evacuation capability, directly supporting U.S. Coast Guard and Joint Region Marianas. HSC-25 is the Navy’s only forward-deployed MH-60S expeditionary squadron.(U.S. Navy photo courtesy of HSC-25)

ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, GUAM

03.04.2019

Courtesy Story

Commander, Amphibious Force 7th Fleet      

ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam (March 4, 2019) – Sailors from the Guam-based “Island Knights” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 25 provided emergency assistance to a cruise passenger in distress early Monday, March 4.

At approximately 9:45 p.m. Sunday, March 3, HSC-25 was notified by U.S. Coast Guard Sector Guam that a passenger aboard MV Arcadia was experiencing a medical emergency. After Arcadia transited within helicopter range of Guam, a rescue mission was launched at 5:45 a.m. Monday, by HSC-25 Alert Search and Rescue led by Aircraft Commander Lt. Richard Schuster. The passenger in distress was recovered via helicopter hoist and returned to U.S. Naval Hospital Guam in stable condition.

“Flying to a cruise ship was a unique and challenging MEDEVAC experience,” said Schuster. “We continually practice to prevail when needed most. The Arcadia was very helpful in positioning the ship, allowing Rescue 11’s crew to stabilize the patient on the rescue hoist and get him safely in the aircraft. We were able to expeditiously transport the patient thanks to our Flight Surgeon Lt. Kumetz and SAR Medical Technician HM2 Bowen.”

The incident was the fifth emergency call to HSC-25 by U.S. Coast Guard Sector Guam and marks two recoveries during search-and-rescue and medical evacuations in 2019 to date.

“I could not be more proud of our maintenance and flight crews this morning,” said HSC-25 Commanding Officer Cmdr. Frank Loforti. "Yet again, the Island Knights executed a flawless MEDEVAC, I’m honored to be part of the winning team."

HSC-25 provides a multi-mission rotary wing capability for units in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations and maintains a Guam-based 24-hour search-and-rescue and medical evacuation capability, directly supporting U.S. Coast Guard and Joint Region Marianas. HSC-25 is the Navy’s only forward-deployed MH-60S expeditionary squadron.